Dimensional Weight vs Actual Weight for Shippers

Dimensional Context

The air freight industry created DIM weight. Air freight carriers noticed they were handling a lot of lightweight packages. These packages took up a lot of space on the aircraft.

While an aircraft can carry much weight, the cargo space is limited. From the carrier’s perspective, if the packaged cargo is light, it makes more sense to charge by how much a package SHOULD weigh—based on the package size—than to charge based on the package’s actual weight. So, they invented DIM weight. Simply put, dimensional weight is used in the shipping world when space is limited.

Calculating dimensional weight ensures that the shipping costs remain fair and reflect space utilization, as opposed to just the physical weight of the shipment. Accounting for this figure will encourage efficient packing and helps prevent underutilization of the shipping capacity. 

Actual Weight

Actual weight is how much your cargo weighs, including packaging (which is very important to include and often forgotten). This value is determined by using a scale, and the variable is expressed in pounds and kilograms. For actual weight, you want to weigh your shipment after it’s been fully packaged using a certified freight scale. The carrier will consider the load, so don’t fudge on the weight. Measuring the dimensions of crated freight is a simple matter of measuring the crate’s length, width, and height.

When measuring the dimensions of a palletized shipment, the length and width should be the same as the length and width of the pallet. Your cargo cannot hang over any of the edges of the pallet. The height is a straight line from your cargo’s highest point to the bottom of the pallet, where it touches the floor.

Estimating or “being close” to the actual weight of your fully packaged shipment is not an accurate weight measurement. Carriers always measure and weigh cargo during the inspection process. Suppose you need to be more precise in your report for weight and dimensions during the freight quote process. This will result in a billing adjustment after the shipment is complete. It could also end with additional charges, like a change of freight class.

Understanding Density

If you follow our blog, you will know where this word on density goes. But it’s important and bears repeating. Many factors affect LTL freight rates, and density is one. The denser your cargo is, the better for your budget. Lower-density load takes up more space on a freight truck than higher-density cargo.

Shipping 300 pounds of ping pong balls (lower density) and 300 pounds of bricks (higher density) have the same actual weight, but the packaged ping pong balls will take up more space in the truck than the packaged bricks. That means you will pay for the extra space your cargo takes up. The best thing you can do is package your shipment as densely as possible.

Critical Details

You have come to the right place if you are still wondering why determining accurate actual and dimensional weight is so important. The importance comes from precise pricing, cost reduction, transit efficiency, and proper planning. Understand that carriers have limited space available, so space needs to be appropriately utilized to make the trip more economical for both of you. The more space they can accommodate, the more they make, and the more you save.

If you understand the dimensions of your product, it is easier to understand how the packaging affects the space being utilized. The more efficiently you can package your items, the less space your package will occupy and the more money you will save. Shippers can optimize their space by properly packaging materials and minimizing empty space, reducing shipping costs. 

Providing the proper figures for actual and dimensional weight will help shippers save, and carriers maximize their loads, and it will also help carriers plan and manage their capacity effectively. This decreases the likelihood of delays, overloading, and capacity constraints. Providing these necessary details to your carrier helps ensure they can optimize their logistics operations, providing you with the greatest possible shipping experience.